 Considering the importance & wide applications of nanotechnology a unique seat of learning this subject has been established - Amity Institute of Nanotechnology (AINT) under the agies of Ritnand Balved Education Foundation (RBEF). The institute has started M.Tech Course in Nanotechnology w.e.f. November, 2003. Being the first course of its kind in the country, it was a challenging job to have undertaken. The programme comprises of conceptual knowledge of nanoscience and nanotechnology, including preparation of nanomaterials, their characterization and applications. Our eminent faculty takes care of teaching and training the students in the frontier areas of nanotechnology and they have drawn a noteworthy syllabus for the entire course. Amity Institute of Nanotechnology has close linkage with national scientific institutions in the country like NPL, SSPL, IIT, DU, BARC, TIFR, CSIO, DMSRDE etc. There has been regular interactions with the scientists from these organisations through visits and guest lectures by `eminent scientists'. Hands on training in National Laboratories for specific instruments such as SEM, TEM, AFM, STM etc. is regularly being conducted. The institute has initiated research programmes in the following areas:
The Institute has started a quarterly magzine entitled 'Amity Nanotechnology Update' highlighting the latest developments in the area of nanotechnology. The first step of teaching & training in Nanotechnology has been taken and now the aim is to race ahead. |
What is Nanotechnology :
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NANOTECHNOLOGY is a fundamental, enabling technology, allowing us to do new things in almost every conceivable technological discipline. Nano means small (10^-9 m) but of high potency, and emerging with large applications piercing through all the discipline of knowledge, leading to industrial and technological growth. It is conceived that this emerging developmental research will allow us to arrange atoms and molecules in most of the ways permitted by physical laws. The potential of this technology to change our world is indeed truly staggering. It will affect every aspect of our lives, from medicine, to the power of our computers, the energy we require, the cars we drive, the building we live in, and even the clothes we wear. It will continuously generate new capabilities, new products, new markets. Its impact in society will be broad. What is so special about controlling matter at a smaller scale? Well! At the nanoscale different laws of physics come into play, properties of traditional materials change; the behaviour of the surface starts to dominate over the behaviour of the bulk phase. Areas of applications with immediate impact - drug delivery to treat tumour, cancer (without using radiotherapy & chemotherapy), solar energy, batteries, display technologies, opto-electronic devices, semiconductor devices in nanoelectronics, biosensors, CNT's etc., nanocomposites such as Al2O3 oxides, catalysis, luminous paints. Considering the importance of research and development of this new frontier area, the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, has been encouraging tremendous thrust on Nanomaterials. The Indo-US joint forum on Science and Technology has identified this area of research for intense cooperation. Government of India's Nanomaterials Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) potentially offered a venue for greater cooperation. NSTI is a scheme in which the Government of India has invested 100 crores for the next 5 years on nanotechnology research & development. Indian industries have started understanding the commercial viability of nanotechnology based products and their impact on national economy.It will be targeted towards the main streams like electronics, healthcare markets, and other industrial products. |
 A When Richard Feynman (1959) narrated that “`there is plenty of room at the bottom”, and, when Norio Taniguchi (1974) coined the word “Nanotechnology”, nobody knew that nanotechnology (one billionth of a meter) would emerge as ‘science of breakthroughs’ for revolutionizing the industrial world in 21st Century. The ability to manipulate atoms and molecules at nanoscale to create new structures, devices and systems provide immense potential for driving out noble and desired properties of materials. The phenomenon attracted the global scientific community, and the research in this subject is now in full swing all over the world. Scientists are exploring new phenomena at nano scale of materials and using them for the benefits of human being. With the advent of nanotechnology, it is predicted that the computer will compute faster, materials will become stronger, and medicines will cure more diseases. Nanotechnology promises robots that foray in the human body to deliver drugs at a specified location or target deceased tissues. Nanotechnology is poised to change almost everything from vaccines to computers, automobile, cosmetics, clothes and to objects not yet imagined, designed or made. The `science of miniature’ promises to deliver all this above. “When Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, he called it a small step for a man and a giant leap for the mankind. Nano may represent another giant leap for mankind, but with a step so small that it makes Neil Armstrong look the size of a solar system.” Although, the discipline is in its infancy stage but it is opening wings all over the world with conscious efforts and expectations of improving the standard of living of the people. Thanks to the Founder President, RBEF, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan who agreed to my proposal in 2003 for launching M Tech – Nanotechnology Course. A small step taken by the Visionary, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, establishing an exclusive Institute - `Amity Institute of Nanotechnology’ for teaching and research in `Nanoscience and Nanotechnology’ someday, in near future, will be proved to be a giant leap for the welfare of the global community.
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